THE GAMES: The University of Colorado closes out the nonconference portion of its schedule at the UTSA Holiday Classic, Dec. 20-21 at the Convocation Center in San Antonio. The Buffaloes will play the University of Texas-Pan American on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m. MST and follow with a game against Creighton University on Wednesday, Dec. 21, also at 4 p.m. MST.
BROADCAST: Both games will air on KKZN AM 760 with Mike Rice handling the play-by-play and Carol Callan of USA Basketball with the color commentary. Live audio is available through BuffsTV through the BuffsRadio free subscription. Live statistics will also be available on CUBuffs.com
OPENING TIP: Colorado is vying for the second unbeaten nonconference regular season record in team history. Only the 1992-93 squad has entered the conference slate undefeated (12-0).
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 9-0, the third best record to start a season in team history and best since the 1992-93 squad won a school record 15 games to begin the season. The Buffaloes closed out a perfect six-game home stand with a 77-59 win over Weber State on Dec. 17. After the UTSA Holiday Classic, Colorado will be off until Dec. 31, when the Buffaloes open Pac-12 Conference play at Utah.
Colorado has shown balance with five players averaging between seven and 18 points per game and seven averaging at least five per contest. The Buffaloes are averaging 71.7 points per game and shooting 46 percent from the field. CU's defense has held its opponents to 52.3 points per game, ranking first in the Pac-12. The Buffaloes also rank second free-throw percentage (.701) and rebounding defense (32.0 rpg) and third in scoring margin (+19.3), rebound margin (+11.4) and field-goal percentage (.460).
Junior guard Chucky Jeffery is on a tear. She is averaging 23.3 points over the last four games and has shot 63 percent (37-of-59) during that span including 8-of-11 from 3-point range (.727). Jeffery's 9-of-10 performance from the field against Denver was the best by a CU player on a minimum 10 attempts since Jackie McFarland was 9-of-10 against CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 28, 2007.
Overall Jeffery leads the Buffaloes at 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. She is third in the Pac-12 in scoring and ranks fourth in assists, 3-point percentage (.450) and defensive rebounds (7.1 drpg), sixth in free-throw percentage (.800) and blocked shots (1.4 bpg), seventh in minutes played (32.8 mpg), eighth in rebounding, ninth in steals (2.0 spg) and 11th in field-goal percentage (.555).
Freshman guard Lexy Kresl is second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game and leads the Buffaloes in both 3-point field goals (20) and free-throw percentage at 94.1 percent. She has made 15-straight free throws dating back to the Colorado State game. She also ranks third in the Pac-12 in 3-pointers made (2.2 3mpg), 12th in 3-point percentage (.385) and 18th in scoring.
Sophomore guard Brittany Wilson is third on the team in scoring at 10.3 points per game and is second on the team with 11 steals. She has been a distributor of late, dishing out an average of 4.3 assists over the last four games, tied with Jeffery for the most on the team during that span. Overall she is second on the team with 23 on the season. On the Pac-12 charts, Wilson ranks 25th in scoring and 14th in 3-pointers made (1.4 3mpg).
Brittany's twin sister Ashley Wilson has enjoyed a solid start to her sophomore season. She is hitting 55 percent from the floor (17-of-31) and is coming off a career-best 13 point performance against Weber State. Wilson is averaging 11 points and 4.5 rebounds over the last two contests while shooting 69 percent from the floor (9-of-13). Wilson averages 3.4 rebounds per game, and is the only player on the team with more offensive rebounds (16) than defensive boards (15).
Junior Meagan Malcolm-Peck has played well defensively, averaging 6.3 points and five rebounds per game. She leads Colorado with 19 offensive rebounds and her 2.4 per game average ranks 13th in the Pac-12.
Colorado's front court duo of senior Julie Seabrook and sophomore Rachel Hargis are the only two players to start all nine games. Seabrook leads Colorado in field-goal percentage at 64 percent (28-of-44) and has averaged 11.3 points and eight rebounds over the past four games. Seabrook recorded her third career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Weber State. Hargis, who averages 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest, remains tough on the defensive end. She has tied a career-best two steals in each of the past two games and also had a season-high two blocked shots against Weber State.
Colorado's bench has been outstanding, accounting for 35 percent of the team's scoring (25.0 ppg) and 44 percent of its rebounding (19.2 rpg). The Wilson twins and Kresl have been consistent in scoring whether coming off the bench or starting (Kresl has five starts, Brittany Wilson has four while Ashley has three), combining for 24.9 points in a reserve role. In fact the Wilson sisters provided a major spark off the bench in a very twin-like performance over Weber State, each producing identical numbers of 13 points on 6-of-10 from the field.
Freshman Jen Reese has also been a major producer off the bench. Reese is averaging 7.5 points per contest and shooting 45 percent from the field (25-of-56). Reese has also been hitting the boards, ranking second on the team at 5.9 per game. Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi the Buffaloes had a season-high 43 bench points (Jeffery 19, Reese 13, Kresl 11).
HISTORIC START: Colorado is 9-0 for just the third time in team history and first since the 1992-93 squad won a school record 15 games to begin the season. The only other 8-0 team was in 1980-81 when the Buffaloes started 12-0. Here is a break down of CU's best starts:
Year Start Final Record Other
1992-93 15-0 27-4 NCAA Elite 8
1980-81 12-0 28-5 *AIAW National Tourn. First Round
2011-12 8-0 ?? Best Start Since 1992-93
1993-94 7-0 27-5 NCAA Sweet 16
1982-83 7-0 21-8 #Big Eight Semifinals
1988-89 6-0 27-4 NCAA First Round
*-CU's first national tournament appearance; #-First year of Big Eight Conference round-robin play.
NUMBERS ON 9 STRAIGHT: Colorado has won nine straight games for the 13th time and its current streak is tied for the eighth longest in team history. It's also CU's longest win streak since the 2007-08 team won 11 straight. Here are the Buffs' all-time best win streaks:
Wins Season Record Notable
1. 25 1994-95 30-3 NCAA Elite Eight, 14-0 in Big Eight
2. 20 1988-89 27-4 NCAA 1st Round, 14-0 in Big Eight
3. 15 1992-93 27-4 NCAA Elite Eight, 15-0 season start
4. 14 1991-92 22-9 NCAA 1st Rd, Big Eight Tourney Champs
5. 12 1981-82 28-8 AIAW National 1st Round
6. 12 1980-81 28-5 First of two 9-plus winning streaks in '81
7. 11 2007-08 19-15 WNIT Semifinalist
8. 9 2011-12 ?? 9-0 Best Start Since 1992-93
9 2003-04 22-8 NCAA 1st Round
9 1993-94 27-5 NCAA Sweet 16
9 1992-93 27-4 NCAA Elite Eight, Big Eight Champs
9 1980-81 28-5 First AIAW National Appearance
9 1978-79 22-9 3rd place in AIAW Regional
ABOUT THE BRONCS: Texas Pan-American is 4-9 overall and coming off a 74-35 setback at Oklahoma State on Dec. 19. Three of the Broncs four wins have come at home and they are winless in two prior neutral site games this season. UTPA averages 55.5 points per game while shooting 35 percent from the field and 66 percent from the foul line. The Broncs have been winning the turnover battle from their opponents, holding a margin of plus-1.5 per game while averaging nearly 10 steals per outing.
Sophomore guard LaQuita Garner leads Texas-Pan American in scoring at 11.6 points per game and is also the team's top threat from deep range hitting on 32 percent on 3-pointers (21-of-65). Junior guard Bianca Torre leads the Broncs in assists at 3.8 per game and is second on the team in scoring at 9.2. Torre scored 20 of UTPA's 35 points, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range, in the loss to Oklahoma State. The senior forward duo of Donna Jackson and Adanna Opara combine for 17.3 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
ABOUT THE BLUEJAYS: Creighton improved to 5-4 overall with a last-minute 49-47 win over Bowling Green at home on Dec. 19. The Bluejays have played an impressive nonconference schedule, with their four losses coming to teams with a combined record of 32-5. Creighton averages just under 61 points per game while giving up 60 to its opponents. The Bluejays shoot 40 percent from the field, including a 33 percent mark from 3-point range where they have made 60-of-181 attempts.
Sophomore Sarah Nelson paces Creighton at 13.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. She is also the top shooter for the Bluejays at 61 percent. Sophomore guard Carli Tritz is Creighton's second leading scorer at 12 points per game. Junior guard Ally Jensen averages 9.6 points and tops the Bluejays in assists (24) and 3-point field
goals (18).
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Texas-Pan American. The Buffaloes are 8-1 against teams in the Southland Conference, including a 71-58 win at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 16.
This will be the fourth meeting between Colorado and Creighton with the Bluejays holding a 2-1 edge. Creighton took a home-and-home series from the Buffaloes during the 2004 and 2005 preseason schedules. Colorado's lone win in the series was on a neutral floor, a 76-60 decision on Nov. 27, 1987 in the first round of the Freedom Bowl Classic. The Buffaloes are 10-6 against current Missouri Valley Conference teams, most recently defeating Evansville in the first round of the 2010 Omni Hotels Classic.
Colorado head coach Linda Lappe has never faced UTPA or Creighton as a head coach. UTPA's Denny Downing has never faced Colorado. Creighton's Jim Flanery is 2-0 against Colorado as the Bluejays' head coach.
CONNECTIONS: Colorado sports three Texas natives on its roster. Freshman forward Arielle Roberson is from San Antonio, freshman guard Jasmine Sborov is from Round Rock (near Austin) and sophomore center Rachel Hargis is from Robinson (near Waco). CU head coach Linda Lappe is familiar with Jim Flanery's Creighton Bluejays from her days as an assistant at Missouri Valley Conference rival Drake (2003-06).
BROADCAST: Both games will air on KKZN AM 760 with Mike Rice handling the play-by-play and Carol Callan of USA Basketball with the color commentary. Live audio is available through BuffsTV through the BuffsRadio free subscription. Live statistics will also be available on CUBuffs.com
OPENING TIP: Colorado is vying for the second unbeaten nonconference regular season record in team history. Only the 1992-93 squad has entered the conference slate undefeated (12-0).
ABOUT THE BUFFALOES: Colorado is 9-0, the third best record to start a season in team history and best since the 1992-93 squad won a school record 15 games to begin the season. The Buffaloes closed out a perfect six-game home stand with a 77-59 win over Weber State on Dec. 17. After the UTSA Holiday Classic, Colorado will be off until Dec. 31, when the Buffaloes open Pac-12 Conference play at Utah.
Colorado has shown balance with five players averaging between seven and 18 points per game and seven averaging at least five per contest. The Buffaloes are averaging 71.7 points per game and shooting 46 percent from the field. CU's defense has held its opponents to 52.3 points per game, ranking first in the Pac-12. The Buffaloes also rank second free-throw percentage (.701) and rebounding defense (32.0 rpg) and third in scoring margin (+19.3), rebound margin (+11.4) and field-goal percentage (.460).
Junior guard Chucky Jeffery is on a tear. She is averaging 23.3 points over the last four games and has shot 63 percent (37-of-59) during that span including 8-of-11 from 3-point range (.727). Jeffery's 9-of-10 performance from the field against Denver was the best by a CU player on a minimum 10 attempts since Jackie McFarland was 9-of-10 against CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 28, 2007.
Overall Jeffery leads the Buffaloes at 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. She is third in the Pac-12 in scoring and ranks fourth in assists, 3-point percentage (.450) and defensive rebounds (7.1 drpg), sixth in free-throw percentage (.800) and blocked shots (1.4 bpg), seventh in minutes played (32.8 mpg), eighth in rebounding, ninth in steals (2.0 spg) and 11th in field-goal percentage (.555).
Freshman guard Lexy Kresl is second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game and leads the Buffaloes in both 3-point field goals (20) and free-throw percentage at 94.1 percent. She has made 15-straight free throws dating back to the Colorado State game. She also ranks third in the Pac-12 in 3-pointers made (2.2 3mpg), 12th in 3-point percentage (.385) and 18th in scoring.
Sophomore guard Brittany Wilson is third on the team in scoring at 10.3 points per game and is second on the team with 11 steals. She has been a distributor of late, dishing out an average of 4.3 assists over the last four games, tied with Jeffery for the most on the team during that span. Overall she is second on the team with 23 on the season. On the Pac-12 charts, Wilson ranks 25th in scoring and 14th in 3-pointers made (1.4 3mpg).
Brittany's twin sister Ashley Wilson has enjoyed a solid start to her sophomore season. She is hitting 55 percent from the floor (17-of-31) and is coming off a career-best 13 point performance against Weber State. Wilson is averaging 11 points and 4.5 rebounds over the last two contests while shooting 69 percent from the floor (9-of-13). Wilson averages 3.4 rebounds per game, and is the only player on the team with more offensive rebounds (16) than defensive boards (15).
Junior Meagan Malcolm-Peck has played well defensively, averaging 6.3 points and five rebounds per game. She leads Colorado with 19 offensive rebounds and her 2.4 per game average ranks 13th in the Pac-12.
Colorado's front court duo of senior Julie Seabrook and sophomore Rachel Hargis are the only two players to start all nine games. Seabrook leads Colorado in field-goal percentage at 64 percent (28-of-44) and has averaged 11.3 points and eight rebounds over the past four games. Seabrook recorded her third career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Weber State. Hargis, who averages 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest, remains tough on the defensive end. She has tied a career-best two steals in each of the past two games and also had a season-high two blocked shots against Weber State.
Colorado's bench has been outstanding, accounting for 35 percent of the team's scoring (25.0 ppg) and 44 percent of its rebounding (19.2 rpg). The Wilson twins and Kresl have been consistent in scoring whether coming off the bench or starting (Kresl has five starts, Brittany Wilson has four while Ashley has three), combining for 24.9 points in a reserve role. In fact the Wilson sisters provided a major spark off the bench in a very twin-like performance over Weber State, each producing identical numbers of 13 points on 6-of-10 from the field.
Freshman Jen Reese has also been a major producer off the bench. Reese is averaging 7.5 points per contest and shooting 45 percent from the field (25-of-56). Reese has also been hitting the boards, ranking second on the team at 5.9 per game. Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi the Buffaloes had a season-high 43 bench points (Jeffery 19, Reese 13, Kresl 11).
HISTORIC START: Colorado is 9-0 for just the third time in team history and first since the 1992-93 squad won a school record 15 games to begin the season. The only other 8-0 team was in 1980-81 when the Buffaloes started 12-0. Here is a break down of CU's best starts:
Year Start Final Record Other
1992-93 15-0 27-4 NCAA Elite 8
1980-81 12-0 28-5 *AIAW National Tourn. First Round
2011-12 8-0 ?? Best Start Since 1992-93
1993-94 7-0 27-5 NCAA Sweet 16
1982-83 7-0 21-8 #Big Eight Semifinals
1988-89 6-0 27-4 NCAA First Round
*-CU's first national tournament appearance; #-First year of Big Eight Conference round-robin play.
NUMBERS ON 9 STRAIGHT: Colorado has won nine straight games for the 13th time and its current streak is tied for the eighth longest in team history. It's also CU's longest win streak since the 2007-08 team won 11 straight. Here are the Buffs' all-time best win streaks:
Wins Season Record Notable
1. 25 1994-95 30-3 NCAA Elite Eight, 14-0 in Big Eight
2. 20 1988-89 27-4 NCAA 1st Round, 14-0 in Big Eight
3. 15 1992-93 27-4 NCAA Elite Eight, 15-0 season start
4. 14 1991-92 22-9 NCAA 1st Rd, Big Eight Tourney Champs
5. 12 1981-82 28-8 AIAW National 1st Round
6. 12 1980-81 28-5 First of two 9-plus winning streaks in '81
7. 11 2007-08 19-15 WNIT Semifinalist
8. 9 2011-12 ?? 9-0 Best Start Since 1992-93
9 2003-04 22-8 NCAA 1st Round
9 1993-94 27-5 NCAA Sweet 16
9 1992-93 27-4 NCAA Elite Eight, Big Eight Champs
9 1980-81 28-5 First AIAW National Appearance
9 1978-79 22-9 3rd place in AIAW Regional
ABOUT THE BRONCS: Texas Pan-American is 4-9 overall and coming off a 74-35 setback at Oklahoma State on Dec. 19. Three of the Broncs four wins have come at home and they are winless in two prior neutral site games this season. UTPA averages 55.5 points per game while shooting 35 percent from the field and 66 percent from the foul line. The Broncs have been winning the turnover battle from their opponents, holding a margin of plus-1.5 per game while averaging nearly 10 steals per outing.
Sophomore guard LaQuita Garner leads Texas-Pan American in scoring at 11.6 points per game and is also the team's top threat from deep range hitting on 32 percent on 3-pointers (21-of-65). Junior guard Bianca Torre leads the Broncs in assists at 3.8 per game and is second on the team in scoring at 9.2. Torre scored 20 of UTPA's 35 points, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range, in the loss to Oklahoma State. The senior forward duo of Donna Jackson and Adanna Opara combine for 17.3 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
ABOUT THE BLUEJAYS: Creighton improved to 5-4 overall with a last-minute 49-47 win over Bowling Green at home on Dec. 19. The Bluejays have played an impressive nonconference schedule, with their four losses coming to teams with a combined record of 32-5. Creighton averages just under 61 points per game while giving up 60 to its opponents. The Bluejays shoot 40 percent from the field, including a 33 percent mark from 3-point range where they have made 60-of-181 attempts.
Sophomore Sarah Nelson paces Creighton at 13.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. She is also the top shooter for the Bluejays at 61 percent. Sophomore guard Carli Tritz is Creighton's second leading scorer at 12 points per game. Junior guard Ally Jensen averages 9.6 points and tops the Bluejays in assists (24) and 3-point field
goals (18).
SERIES RECORDS: This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Texas-Pan American. The Buffaloes are 8-1 against teams in the Southland Conference, including a 71-58 win at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 16.
This will be the fourth meeting between Colorado and Creighton with the Bluejays holding a 2-1 edge. Creighton took a home-and-home series from the Buffaloes during the 2004 and 2005 preseason schedules. Colorado's lone win in the series was on a neutral floor, a 76-60 decision on Nov. 27, 1987 in the first round of the Freedom Bowl Classic. The Buffaloes are 10-6 against current Missouri Valley Conference teams, most recently defeating Evansville in the first round of the 2010 Omni Hotels Classic.
Colorado head coach Linda Lappe has never faced UTPA or Creighton as a head coach. UTPA's Denny Downing has never faced Colorado. Creighton's Jim Flanery is 2-0 against Colorado as the Bluejays' head coach.
CONNECTIONS: Colorado sports three Texas natives on its roster. Freshman forward Arielle Roberson is from San Antonio, freshman guard Jasmine Sborov is from Round Rock (near Austin) and sophomore center Rachel Hargis is from Robinson (near Waco). CU head coach Linda Lappe is familiar with Jim Flanery's Creighton Bluejays from her days as an assistant at Missouri Valley Conference rival Drake (2003-06).
